Daiki Nakata

Sora had the Shodo “workshop” the end of February in a Organic Japanese food restaurant called “Shizuku” in Portland. Workshop was for 2 hours in which the people who attended were able to experience how it feels to express yourself through Shodo.

In the beginning of the workshop, Sora told the audience her experience as a Shodo artist and what she sees in Shodo. She also goes on to explain the history of Shodo, how and why japanese words were formed in the way they were, as well as the 4 main ingredients or tools in shodo that have used throughout the course of Japanese history.

Then we used one of those 4 tools, which is an ink stone known in japan as a “Suzuri”, to make Sumi Ink and everyone wrote the word “one” in Japanese Kanji with their Sumi Ink they made with their own hands. Everybody looked like they were having fun experiencing Shodo for the first time.

Then, after Sora demonstrated how to write the kanji “Three”, everybody practiced their basic Shodo skills by looking at a model of the japanese words “Three”, “River”, and “Forever”. Some were pleased with what they had accomplished, and others were eager to keep on improving their skills. All in all, the room was filled with a joyful and fun atmosphere.

Towards the end of the workshop, we enjoyed some afternoon snacks with some japanese tea and everyone was also given some time to write and express whatever they wanted onto postcards for them to take home.

Many of the participants learned how it was difficult as well as enjoyable, to learn how to maneuver the Shodo brush to their will. Some also said they noticed how their current emotions were reflected in their writing and how every piece was different from the last. Kids and Adults alike, they all looked happy taking their postcards back home after experiencing the “workshop”.

By experiencing Shodo, you will able to see how Shodo requires Mindfulness, and self expression. If you are interested in attending one of my workshops, please feel free to contact Sora.

These few months, SoraShodo has continued to face and overcome new challenges. I just finished the last performance at the Portland Art Meuseum on January 12. The day of the performance was blessed with unbelievably blue skies and more than 100 people ranging from children to seniors came to watch the event, making it a fantastic warm hearted experience for all.

SoraShodo’s performance started with Yumi Tomimaru’s bamboo flute and sound of the taiko that we seemed to be listening to with our guts more thsn our ears. Jumping to the rythym of the taiko, Sora swung her big brush into the air and wrote the words “Yakudou” (Dynamic Movement ), using gold ink as well as sumi ink.

Next up was collaboration with Eri Muroi’s beautiful and soothing Koto. As the audience fell silent and watched over the performers, Sora sensed the presence of a quiet and peaceful night and wrote “Closely listen to the sounds of nature in the quite night”.

Then Sora’s teacher Sekko Daigo appeared on stage to Perform. She wrote the words “Gekirei” (Encouragennt) with her big brush to give it to Sora as a gift. Thanking her teacher who warmly watched over her, Sora was determined to keep on improving her Shodo art.

After that, Sora performed alongside Kazutaka Fukui’s Tsugaru-Shamisen and powerfully wrote down on a canvas the word “Musubi” (connection). This was a representation of the atmosphere in the room when all these people, who had never seen each other before, came together and united to watch this very brief yet precious moment live.

Than the multi instrumentalist Mitch Iimori took the stage. Playing the Oboe, and Flute as well as singing the traditional Japanese song “Red Dragonfly”, which Sora translated into her own version of the poem and wrote it onto a Sensu (Japanese folding fan).

At last all the musicians cooperated and played a beautiful and powerful song all together. Carrying their energy on her back, and using a variety of different sized brushes, Sora wrote the words “Flower”, “Soil” and “Sky”. Then on a different piece of paper she wrote the word “Life” in gold ink.

Sora’s performance ended with great cheers from the audience. The paper that used to be pure white was now filled with words inspired by the atmosphere of the place and the energy of the people.

The events at the Portland Art Meuseum are over, but Sora will continue to perform Shodo. If you would like to visit one of the performances, the schedule is posted on the website along with other information!

The Shodo art that Sora created is also for sale, so if you are interested please contact me info@sorashodo.com.

We hope this blog will help you find out more about “shodo.”
Sora Shodo’s activities and events will be posted here.

The year is almost over. We hope you have had a great year.
It was a fulfilling year for Sora Shodo.

One of the biggest accomplishments of Sora Shodo’s year is to
participate in the exhibit “Poetic Imagination in Japanese Art,”
happening now at the Portland Art Museum.
Sora Shodo will perform again with live music at this exhibition on
January 12th, 2019.

Sora Shodo will express her emotions of the moment through her “Sho Art.”
The event will be filled with energy and excitement. Don’t miss it!

The next blog post will be the event report.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the Museum.
Wish you a great 2019!